His private prosecution also claimed that Mrs Patterson, a civil servant, had caused him "to fear for his personal safety" by threatening to poison his West Highland terrier, Caspar.

The hearing before Consett magistrates was the latest twist in a long-running neighbourhood feud which led to Mr Thoms, a 49-year-old former conservatory salesman, being served with a two-year anti-social behaviour order in February 2005.

Mr Thoms was branded a "neighbour from hell" when magistrates imposed the order forbidding him from harassing, intimidating, threatening or abusing neighbours, including Mrs Patterson.

They had heard he pushed animal faeces through a letter box, spat on cars and allowed Caspar to foul neighbours' gardens.

Last month Mrs Patterson again appeared face to face with Mr Thoms in Durham Crown Court when he appeared before a judge and jury accused of breaching terms of the Asbo by making a "throat-slashing gesture" in her direction.

Mr Thoms was cleared of breaching the terms of the Asbo. But magistrates in Consett dismissed his civil claim against Mrs Patterson.

Mrs Patterson, who was arrested by police the day after her wedding last summer, following a complaint made by Mr Thoms, said today: "I really hope this is the end of the matter. That man has put me through years of misery.

"Having this ludicrous charge against me dismissed is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders."